Lawrence “Larry” Torstenbo, age 81 of Rawlins, WY, longtime resident of Miles City, MT passed away on June 4, 2023 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.
Larry was born on January 19, 1942 in Harlowton, MT. He was the son of Helge & Anna Louise (Vanderbrooke) Torstenbo. Larry grew up in the Harlowton & Lewiston area. Larry graduated from high school and eventually got his masters in teaching at Ball State. On August 25, 1962 he married Mary Lou Potterf in Lewistown, MT. They lived in Billings for a short time before they moved to Terry in 1964 where he taught school and was a school administrator until 1969. In 1970 they moved to Miles City where they resided for many years.
Larry served on city council for 12 years as council president as well as head of parks & recreation committee. He was instrumental in modernizing parks with underground sprinkling systems. Larry also served as a consultant for the State of Montana library and media services. Larry’s true love in life was his students and was an educator at heart. He was the MCC Director of Library Learning & Resource Center, Dean of Academic Division for 10 years, Title IX officer, EEO Officer and the MCC Rodeo Coach. He was very influential along with Wally Badgett starting the “High Class Buckaroo Bash” which has raised 100 of thousands of dollars over the years for rodeo scholarships. Larry also loved hunting & fishing and being outdoors.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents and wife Mary Lou.
Larry is survived by his children: Kurtiss Torstenbo of Rawlins, WY; Shawn Torstenbo of Miles City and Traci (Kyle) Kellum of Nebraska; a brother Leonard Torstenbo of New Hampshire; sister Jeanne Olson of Billings; six grandchildren: Shyler (Ciara), Connor (Lauren), Taylor, Kailee, Brayden & Kanzas and two great grandchildren: Bryliy & Adley.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Miles City Rodeo Program,2715 Dickinson Street, Miles City, MT 59301.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 9, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 10, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the funeral service
Saturday June 10, 2023
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Reception
Following the cemetery.
Saturday June 10, 2023
MCC Ag Advancement Center / Champion Arena
340 I94 Business Loop
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday June 9, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 10, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the funeral service
Saturday June 10, 2023
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd.
Miles City, Montana 59301
Reception
Following the cemetery.
Saturday June 10, 2023
MCC Ag Advancement Center / Champion Arena
340 I94 Business Loop
Miles City, Montana 59301
Share
Denise and Jay Harvey says
Larry was a wonderful man who helped me through my early days of my teaching career and I am forever grateful.
May you find comfort in cherished memories!
Don Meidinger says
One of my fellow college students. Larry was a great guy! Rest in peace my friend!
Vanna Lancaster Byrd says
MCC will never be the same for me now that Larry and Wayne Muri are both gone. Loved working with both of them and their sense of humor was legendary. Rest in peace Larry.
Howard Shawver says
Howard Shawver Family
To all of Larry’s children and grandchildren
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. I have so many stories and memories of Larry and my dad when they fished together at Hell Creek. He was one of the good ones for sure. Hopefully dad has all the good spots scouted out for them when they meet on the big lake.
Mary Ann Murray says
So sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. Sympathies to all of his family.
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Mary betch says
Sorry to here about Larry
Mary vetch says
Sorry for loss
Lynn Praetorius says
I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you. We had some of the best conversations the last few years, he was funny and opinionated, and it was great. We swayed the same way, on so many things it the world , it was easy conversation. I know he loved his children and grandchildren and that is what he lived for. He loved fishing. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Jan alexander says
Kirk, Shawn and Tracy: I am so sorry to hear about Larry’s passing. I have many happy memories of the times when Ken was helping Tracy with her horsemanship and rodeo skills and our travels with Larry and Mary. Blessings to you all.
Garth Sleight says
I’m so sorry to see this. When I started teaching at MCC in 1986, Larry and JT Joyce took me under their wings and were wonderful mentors. Larry was a forward-thinking person and had an excellent big-picture perspective of the college and what we were about. My condolences to Curt, Shawn, Tracy, and extended family. I will always be grateful for how Larry helped me launch my career at MCC.
Laurie Budig says
To my cousins Kurt,Shawn, and Tracy. I am sad to hear about the passing of Uncle Lawrence. Sending you all my deepest sympathy. Keeping you in my thoughts. Laurie.
Garth Sleight says
As a follow-up to my previous comment about how forward-thinking Larry was, I thought I would share this Commendation from the College’s 1996 comprehensive accreditation evaluation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which relates particularly to Larry: “The learning resource center [a.k.a. the Judson H. Flower Jr. Library, thanks to Larry’s initiative because of his profound respect for Jud] is commended for its student-centered environment in support of independent and interactive learning. On limited budgets, the resource center has created an engaging and accessible space, conducive to study and exploration. The groundwork has been carefully laid for moving into the 21st century, both in information technology and telecommunications.” The Torstenbo family can be very proud of Larry for being an excellent educator, committed rodeo coach, and dedicated father and grandfather.
Jess and Sue Noble says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this very difficult time. Peace be with you. Safe travels in the days ahead.
Laura Lenau says
I am sorry to hear of Larry’s passing and offer sincere condolences to his family. Larry made a huge difference in the MCC family. He had a broad perspective and worked with people well. He was a gem with accreditation processes, rodeo, the library and resource center, and faculty negotiations. He will be missed.
Laurie Janssen Claypool says
To Larry’s family, I send my thoughts and prayers. He played an important role in my decision to become a teacher-thanks so much! Also, for the laughter along with the education, it made my time at MCC very memorable!
J. T. Joyce says
J. T. Says
Lawrence was a very progressive educator. He was one of the first librarians to put card catalogs on computer. He also video taped all of my Business Law presentations for an entire year and then put them in the library so students could check them out if they missed class. He told me that before scheduled exams students would come in and review the tapes. He was very passionate about distance education and even conned me to help him in wiring the microphones in the distance education classrooms. I cherish the 50 plus years of friendship and will miss him!
Lana and Bill Sweeney says
So so sorry to hear of Larry‘s passing, and send our most heartfelt condolences to the entire Torstenbo Clan.
Larry was such a huge positive influence in the lives of so many students during my time at Miles Community College, and I am so very grateful to have been one of them.
It was a great ride my friend. RIP!
Daniel J Killoy says
Larry was a good friend. We never met when we didn’t discuss wrestling he was an Avid fan. He was also the best sidewalk shoveler in the neighborhood. Everybody on the 4 or five hundred block On south center Could wake up in the morning to a clean sidewalk thanks to larry and his 4 Wheeler. Rest in peace my Friend Danny Killoy
Fred and Vicky Anderson says
Kurt, Shawn and Traci
We were heart sick to hear of Larry’s passing. Larry and I go back to high school in Harlowton which is way back. Larry’s father worked for my grandfather on the ranch and his brother Leonard worked summers while in high school. Larry and I were two of the founding members of the Miles City AAU wrestling program and Mary babysat our oldest son who was a wrestler. I mention this only to provide a perspective.
When I came to MCC as a teacher green out of college Larry was there as a colleague and friend. We may have differed politically a “few times” but never allowed that to define our friendship.
Larry was an outstanding educator, a student advocate and a person of integrity. He touched countless lives in a very positive way. His quick smile and laugh will be missed as will he. Gone but never forgotten.
RIP my Norwegian friend.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincere sympathy in the loss of a very wonderful man. Larry was well liked and respected by all who knew him and he was a great hunter. May your memories comfort you in the days ahead.